Cotton dispenser



Dec. 23, 1941.

R. E. B. VwAKEFu-:LD

COTTON DISPENSER Filed July 26, 1940 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES;

2,267,060 coTToN DISPENSER Richard E. B. Wakelield, Clifton Heights, Pa., assignor to The Canister Company, Phillipsburg, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 26, 1940, Serial No. 347,635

6 Claims. (Cl.v 206-'-56)' The present invention relates to a cotton dispensing device similar to the device disclosed in a co-pending application of Harry W. Morgan, Ser. No. 286,971, filed July 28, 1939, and assigned to The Canister Company, the present assignee herein. More particularly the invention is an improvement in the form of the cutter element, as well as the mounting thereof.

Generally speaking the cotton dispenser disclosed in the aforesaid pending application comprises a tubular body member rectangular in Cross, section with rounded corners, the bottom being sealed with a metal closure and they top having a partition provided with an annular Wall formed at the periphery thereof and termimating in a curved rim which overlies the top rim of the container body. The partition is provided With a transverse aperture near one side and a, cutter element, in the form of a horizontal cross-piece fixedly disposed with respect to the aperture, provides means for shearing or tearing the cotton along the edge of the cutter when broughtin contact therewith. Y In practice it has been found difcult to thread the end of the cotton batting through the dispensing orice formed by one of the edges of the aperture and the serrated edge of the cutting element. This operation can only be done conveniently and successfully by removing the partition and inserting the end of the cotton batting while the partition is removed. After the batting had been threaded through the dispensing orice the partition may then be inserted. in the container.

Loading and/or servicing dispensers in this manner provedA to be a tedious task commercially and toffacilitate the threading of the batting through the dispensing orifice it is contemplated herein to hingedly mount the cutter element in operative position to the transverse aperture or opening in. the partition so that after the end of the batting had. been pulled through the aperture,` the cutter element may have one of itsends hinged on the opposed edge of. the aperture formed in the partition and the other end frictionally locked in place through a wedge arrangement and/or construction aorded by projections extending laterally of the sides and the rear end of the cutter element. t

An object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device of the above described character in which the threading of the end of the dispensed material may be accomplished quickly and easily.

Another object is the provisionof a dispensing icl device in which the assembly of the cutter element may be completed at the time the dispensed material is packed in the dispenser.

Another object is the provision of a dispensing devicefin which the dispensing partitionis composed of two separate pieces which are assembled by one piece having a locking engagement with the other, and when locked .together the cutter element being operatively positioned with respect to a dispensing orifice'. Y

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device' in which the cutter element is removably associated with a dispensing aperture, but which element isl normally wedged intor locked engagement with the opposing edge of a transverse aperture vso as to be rigidly held in a cutting position.

Other objects relating toY details of construction andrelation of parts will be manifest from a reading of the following description. t y The dispensing device contemplated by the present invention is particularly adapted tol dispense cotton with the'use of one hand by the operator.` Further, it comes within that class of devices which are generally classified as single service devices and for that reason the ease with which the loading and/or servicing of the dispenser may be accomplished is of prime imporf tance to the distributor or manufacturer whose product is dispensed by the device.

In the c ase of dispensing absorbent cotton batting there are several requirements imposed upon a successful dispensing device therefor. In the first place the dispenser must be simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. To condition or service the device for the trade must be a simple, convenient and routine packaging operation. Finally, the device in service must function efficiently and be free of defects or objectional features likely to prove sources of customer complaints.

One or more of these factors have been lacking in cotton dispensing devices of the prior art'. Either they were not designed to be satisfactorily manipulated with one hand, or else threading the end of the cotton batting through the dispensing orifice required too much effort and time. In certain forms or types of dispensing devices the leading edge of the batting became dislodged or retracted from the dispensing orice which required considerable eiiort on the part of the operator to rethread the device. The present dispensing device is designed to eliminate the foregoing as well as other objectional features, through a simplication of the struc.-

Fig. 2 is an explosive perspective view of the component parts comprising the closure or partition element through which the cotton is dispensed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view lengthwise of the partition element showing the cutter locked in position as well as indicating the manner of assembly; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cutter element showing particularly the arrangement of the side flanges which comprise the means for locking the cutter in position.

Referring to the drawing, thedispensing device is illustrated in connection with the dispensing of cotton batting but it will be understood that it is applicable for the dispensing of otherv materials in strip, ribbon, web or similar forms. As is generally known, absorbent cotton batting is wound in a roll with a layer of suitable paper interposed between each layer of the batting so as to keep it clean and sanitary. The body of the container Il may be made of various fibrous materials such as cardboard or may be composed of metal or other suitable material.

The container body I may be any lshape in cross section, but for the dispensing of cotton batting it is preferably rectangular in cross section and the roll of the batting is inserted with its axis perpendicular to the longitudinal side walls. As a Amatter of design," the longitudinal side walls are substantially square so as to permit using to advantage a roll of batting of greatest diameter which may be conveniently accommodated in the tubular body I. Since the width of the roll of cotton batting is less than the diameter, and this width remains constant as the cotton is dispensed, it will be appreciated at all times the roll lies snugly in the container, not only when the dispenser and its contents are packed, but also during the life of the dispensed material. It may be noted, however, that as the roll of cotton batting decreases in diameter there is a certain tendency for it to ride upwardly in the direction of the dispensing orifice which introduces the problem of providing against the weight of the roll dislocating the leading edge of the cotton batting when it is torn off by the cutting element. For that reason the present invention is partial to a cutting element which is rigidly positioned with respect to the dispensing orifice as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

The'bottom of the container I may have a metal closure 2 which is secured to the bottom rim of the tubular body by means of anoutside crimp in accordance with standard practice. A metal partition or closure designated generally by the reference character 3, may constitute a base plate 4 having an annular wall 5 formed at right angle to the periphery thereof and terminating in an outwardly curved rim 6 which overlies the top rim of the container body I. The annular wall 5 is of a depth sufficient to permit the leading Vedge of the cotton batting A to lie between the plate 4 and the inner surface of. a

cover 1, which may be of metal and have depending ilanges or walls 8 adapted to fit tightly over the outer wall of the top of the container I. 'Ihe plate 4 is provided with a transverse slot, preferably a short distance from one end thereof. The width of the slot 9 is sufficient to accommodate comfortably the thickness of the cotton batting A and permit the easy threading of the leading edge of the batting A therethrough. The

left or forward wall IIJ of the slot 9 is preferably formed by bending back the edge of the metal on itself so as to provide a smooth surface over which the strip of cotton batting A may be drawn. The opposite wall II is preferably left unfinished or untreated mechanically inasmuch as the cotton batting A does not normally contact the same and therefore there is no necessity of mechanical treatment of the edge II.

The cutter element, designated by the reference character I4, is comprised of a stamping formed from a single piece of sheet metal, such as tin, and comprises a cross-piece consisting of fiat body portion I5 terminating on two side edges and the rear edge, in flanges which are cut out to form receding angular side portions I6 joined by a resilient heel portion I'I. From an inspection of the drawing it will be noted that the flanges I8 which join the side portions I6 and the heel I'I are relatively quite narrow so that considerable resiliency is imparted to the heel I'I but at the same time affording substantial support or reinforcement to the angular side portions I6 and the heel I'I so as to avoid accidental or undesired deformation thereof.

Each of the angular side portions I 5 is provided with a rearwardly extending notch I'Iv. 'I'he inclination of the sides of the notches I9 is not necessarily critical but consideration should be given to the angle` or pitch at which the body I 5 inclines when the cutter element I4 is in locking engagement with the aperture 9. I have found that satisfactory results are obtained by making the upper incision of the notches I9at about 60 degrees to the body portion I5 and the lower incision somewhat less than degrees to the vertical. It is obvious that the notches I9 are in transverse alignment so that the inter` sections of the incisions forming the notches I9 lie substantially in the same transverse axis. The location of this transverse axis is of importance in that it forms a pivotal line on which the notches I9 engage the edge I0 of the transverse slot 9. The distance between these points of engagement and the heel I'I forms the radius for wedging or locking the cutter element I 4 in operative position. The location of the pivotal axis of the notches I9 is also important with respect to the positioning of the serrated cutting edge 20, i. e. the cutting edge 20 should extend beyond the edge I0 of the slot 9 so that the space therebetween forms a dispensing orice through which the leading edge of the cotton batting A is fed. The width of this space is preferably appreciably less than the thickness of the cotton batting A so that the batting is constantly maintained under slight pressure, which prevents the ready dislocation or retraction of the cotton batting A from the dispensing orifice.

It will be observed that the depth of the heel I'I is determined by two relative factors, i. e. the width of the space between the plate 4 and the cutting edge 20 of the cutter I4, and the desire,

if not necessity, of the top rear end ofthe cutter` I4 to fit iiush with or slightly below the rimV 6 'of the side walls 5. It will also be appreciated that the radius vector of the adjacent side wall y5, with respect to the pivotal axis oi the notches I9, is substantially equal to` the rad-ius! of the notches I9 and the heel II so that when the cross-piece I4 is rotated about its pivotal axis, a wedging action is produced by the heel I1 engaging the wall 5 which wedges the cross-piece I4 in locking engagement with the edge I0 of the slot 9.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that when the leading edge of the cotton batting A is fed through the dispensing orifice, there is little likelihood of the cutter element I4 becoming disengaged from its normally locked position, i. e. with the lower edge of the heel I'I in contact with the opposing surface of the plate ri. In fact the action produced by the tearing or severing of the cotton batting A is such as to amplify the locking arrangement between the cutter element I4 and the partition 43.

The assembly of the removable metal cover part is quite simple. The practice is to ship the partition 3 and the cross-piece I4 unassembled to the manufacturer whose product is to be dispensed. In assembling the dispenser the rst operation is to insert the roll of cotton batting and before placing the partition 3 in position, the leading edge of the batting A is drawn or threaded through the aperture 9 and pulled through a distance suiiicient to have the edge of the batting extend beyond the edge I of the aperture 9. The cutter I4 is then inclined at an angle and moved downwardly in the direction of the edge IU until the notches i9 come into engagement therewith. This forms a pivotal point about which the cutter I4 pivots as the heel II is pressed downwardly until the lower edge thereof contacts with the plate 4. rIhe degree of resiliency of the heel I is such that it not only frictionally engages the opposing wall of the partition 3 but also is capable of compensating for slight variations in the radius within which locking engagement is effected between the component parts of the cover element 3.

Ordinarily when the dispensing device has once been serviced there would be no occasion for removing the partition 3 inasmuch as retraction of the leading edge of the cotton batting A being less than the thickness of the batting, but

if for any reason it is desired to re-thread the dispenser, this may be quickly accomplished by 5 removing the partition 3, which would then permit the ready removal of the cutter element I4 by pushing upwardly thereagainst through the aperture 9.

Although the cutter I4 is a separate piece and is removable, when in locking engagement with the wall I0 of the aperture 9 it functions as a fixed cutter and therefore has all the advantages of that type of cutter. The simplicity of the cutter element or cross-piece I4 is such that it is easily stamped out on a punch press with a single operation and the assembly operation is so simplied that the servicing of the dispenser is reduced to the essence of simplicity.

While it is appreciated that various changes in the specific design of the dispensing parts may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, it is desired to cover all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimedvis: 1. In a dispensing devicefor cotton and the like, a tubular body member having oneV end closed with a removable metal partition comprising an assembly composed :of two parts, one of said parts consisting ofa plate having atransverse, slot therein' and side flanges terminating at the top in an outwardly curved rim which overlies the adjacent rim of the body member, the other of said parts consisting of a cross-piece having a cutting edge and locking means for removably securing the cross-piece to the plate with the cutting edge operatively positioned with respect to the slot, said locking means including depending side portions having notches formed in transverse alignment and adapted to hingedly engage the opposing wall of the transverse slot, and resilient means for wedging the cross-piece in engagement with the slot.

2. The cross-piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient means for wedging the cross-piece in engagement with the transverse slot consists of a heel depending from the crosspiece and having a radius substantially corresponding to the radius vector of the adjacent side flange of the plate and the opposing wall of the transverse slot.

3. The cross-piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient means for wedging the cross-piece in engagement with the transverse slot consists of a heel dep-ending from the cross- Y piece and having a radius substantially corresponding to the radius vector of the adjacent side flange of the plate and the opposing wall of the transverse slot, the heel being joined to the side portions by intermediate, flanges of reduced area but capable of reinforcing the heel and side portions against deformation under ordinary service conditions.

4. The cross-piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the cross-piece is hinged in xed relation with respect to the op'- posing wall of the transverse slot and inclined downwardly to form a dispensing orice between the cutting edge of the cross-piece and the adjacent surface of the partitioning plate.

5. The cross-piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the cross-piece is hinged in Xed relation with respect'to the opposing wall of the transverse slot and inclined downwardly to form a dispensing oriiice between the cutting edge of the cross-piece and the adjacent surface of the partitioning plate, the width of the dispensing orifice being appreciably less than the thickness of the cotton batting, whereby the latter is constantly under pressure and positively held in dispensing position.

v6. A dispensing device for cotton and the like comprising a tubular body member having one end sealed and the other closed with a removable metal cover part, including a plate having a transverse slot and an annular wall formed at the periphery and terminating at the top in an outwardly curved rim which overlies the adjacent rim of the body member, a cross-piece having a cutting edge formed transversely thereof and a depending flange extending rearwardly on both sides from said cutting edge and continuing across the rear edge of the cross-piece, said ange being cut away to forni receding angular side portions joined by a resilient heel portion, the angular -side portions being provided with rearwardly extending notches in transverse alignment and adapted to hingedly engage the opposing side wall of the transverse slot, the radius from the pivotal points formed by the notches when in engagement With the opposing wall of the transverse slot to the heel portion of the ange being substantially equal to the distance of said pivotal points; to the adjacent end portion of the annular wallof the plate,

whereby when the cross-piece fulcrums on its pivotal forming notches the heel portion serves as a resilient Wedge member to lock the crosspiece in engagement with the plate and operatively position the cutting edge thereof with respect to the transverse slot in the plate.

RICHARD E. B. WAKEFIELD; 

